Framing Iconic Photography in San Francisco: A Museum-Quality Shadowbox for an Avedon Portrait of Cher

Framing Iconic Photography in San Francisco: A Museum-Quality Shadowbox for an Avedon Portrait of Cher

Some pieces arrive at our frame shop here in San Francisco carrying a whole era with them and this original Richard Avedon photograph of Cher, shot for Vogue in December 1972, did exactly that. The print came to us with its full sheet intact, film border and all, and our client wanted a design that honored both the photograph and the history baked into the paper.

To keep the full sheet visible, we floated the photograph on a white museum-quality matboard carefully matched to the natural tone of the paper. That small choice sets the tone for the whole design: it lets your eye move from film border to print without visual noise or tonal interruptions. Floating also creates that subtle shadow line , a tiny architectural detail that adds dimensionality without ever feeling fussy.

Because the print deserved space, we built a deep shadowbox and lined the interior walls with the same white matboard. The effect feels a little like a studio cyclorama: clean, quiet, and visually seamless. It draws you toward Cher without pulling you out of the frame.

For the exterior, we chose a thin, dark wood frame whose sharp profile plays beautifully against the soft float and the irregular film edge. A contemporary shape with just enough richness to nod to Avedon’s analog world and sturdy enough to protect the piece with true conservation materials.

Oversized or iconic, contemporary or vintage, pieces like this remind us what thoughtful design can do: elevate the art without performing over it. After 40 years framing in San Francisco, we’ve learned that sometimes the smallest decisions are the ones that keep the artwork speaking for decades.

If you’re sitting on something special, like a vintage poster, a first print you finally treated yourself to, or something that’s been rolled up since your last apartment, we are here for you!

Along with custom work, we also carry a curated collection of handpicked ready-made frames in-store (while they last). Stop by and say hi, we’d love to help get your walls ready for the new year.